Let's have a big ol' discussion about music

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:29 am

Seeing as it's been a while and stuff.

What's floating your particular boat at the moment, my fellow geeks?

Personally, I'm listening pretty much non-stop to "The '59 Sound" by a colonial band by the name of The Gaslight Anthem.

They've got that whole dust-swept Springsteeny vibe that The Killers had on Sam's Town. I think it's ace - gets more and more anthemic with every listen.

Plus, and whisper it, even the NME seem to like them. This week, at any rate.

The new Bloc Party album's a real grower, too. I hated it at first, but gave it a few listens off the back of how much I love the first two - loving the bulk of it so far. Especially Ares and One Month Off.

I also seem to have a growing fondness for the Bowie-esque synthings of MGMT. Or, as I like to call them, Mugmut.

So, what's tickling your fancy these days?

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:17 am

Yeah, loving Mugmut. Saw them live week before last.

Fleet Foxes have themselves a lovely sound too.

So who here's gullible enough to buy the new Oasis album? I know I probably am.

Post by **Best First** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 12:49 pm

Ok, my current musing is, is there any objective criteria by which music can be judged?

I only ask this as i have been on holiday with people who had the most middle of the road boring medicocre taste in music and whenever i told them it was sh*t they started whining about subjectivity.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 1:07 pm

You can argue the technical aspects - is it in tune, can they actually sing, etc etc etc.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/music
1 a: the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity b: vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony

So you can say "it's bobbins - there's no unity or continuity to the composition. It's the same note over and over again - there's no combination or succession of sounds. The drummer can't keep time and the singer sounds like a cat being strangled."

That's objective.

I've not really caught up with Fleet Foxes. Nor Friendly Fires. Foals either, come to think of it. I seem to have an F-related blindspot right now.

Probably pick up the new Oasis at some point. Have downloaded the single to play in my next set. Populist whore that I am.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 3:31 pm

Im bang into Pendulum's 2nd Album, its as if they have been playing Turrican 2 alot...

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:23 pm

I've been going through NPR's (the closest thing the States have to BBC radio) concert series. Got the Frames, Spoon, The Stars, Wilco, the Raconteurs and now the blessed Radiohead descended from on high. Or Oxford. Whichever comes first.

Oh, and as for objective criteria... I tend to think that music reflects the personality of its owners--there a kind of creativity and ambition that is mirrored by a similar depression and general pessimism drawn to passionate yet intricate music. Which means, basically, that those who feel deeply want their music to feel deeply--but not cheaply.

For example, U2 has the passion, but their passion has always fallen flat for me because the music lacks intricacy, sticking to all of four chords at most. It's cheap tricks with delay pedals. And of course, there's Bono's hat.

It doesn't take much brain to build your typical house beat--nnts, mmph, nnts, mmph--but electronica like Aphex Twin and Echo that can mix a computerized beat with ambience appeals to a deeper, darker kind of passion than a simple good-time dance. Which is okay. I can do a night at a club--well, not since the kid was born, but you know what I mean--but when I want music that will speak to me, it must be something darker and more intricate.

It's also a question of which way you like to experience it. Anyone can be deeply moved by watching an orchestra play, but the experience might be orgasmic for one who has experienced music as a daily reflection of their personal life, and has approached the symphony in question before, seeking some kind of emotional resonance.

So basically music reflects not just personality, but one's own experience and desire for passion and meaning. I wouldn't say that people with crap taste have no desire for passion and meaning... but I like to think that I'm a little less sane and a little more brooding.

(You know, I've been to Oxford and there wasn't much heavenly about it... but I did stand outside one of Tolkien's houses and look inside, which must have been creepy to the people in there. I guess if I were to peep in anywhere, it would be heaven.)

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:47 pm

I'm loving the Glasvegas album, even if it is a bit samey.

I'm ever so slightly optimistic about the new Oasis album having heard Falling Down (and the excellent remix by the chemical bros).

Otherwise I am a little bit bored by most bands at the moment. The bands I really love like Maps get little or no recognition.

And I absolutely ******* hate The Script, bunch of soulless wankers.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:49 am

I'm not sure on The Script yet. Only heard the two singles - first I hated, second I thought was alright in a Radio 2 kinda way. Same bit of me that likes The Fray kinda dug it but was never entirely convinced.

Wouldn't surprise me if they turn out to be utter cack. Oh, and I heard them murdering Eminem's Lose Yourself in the Live Lounge. And the string of 13 year old girls texting in claiming it to be the greatest thing in the world ever.

FEH.

And can I just say "yay" for Elbow?

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:21 am

Brendocon wrote:
And can I just say "yay" for Elbow?

Yep!

Hopefully this means people will actually start buying their albums.

Post by **snarl** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:43 am

Pretty much think most of the new music for the last few years has been a bit turgid.

I find a lot of the new guitar bands are difficult to actually tell apart. When I hear the odd decent tune, it usually comes from my brother taking over my room for a bit of a pes sesh, and him putting what he wants on. So we'll listen to the rest of album and I tend to find the rest of songs are just gosh darn bollocks.

Anyway - Apparently indie fans have low self esteem and dance music fans are *****... Rings true.

http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/39562

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:43 am

I must admit I'm a bit lax in their regard - one of those bands I'm always an album behind on.... tend to pick it up mid-price when the next one comes out.

Have had a ripped copy of The Seldom Seen Kid sat atop my pc for the past few months... not listened to it yet. But do love everything I've heard on t'radio off of it.

I'm bad.

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:58 am

Is there a lot of music education in UK schools? Do you have like great teachers and loads of schools dedicated to the art?

I think I've heard that the UK has a sh*tload of that stuff, and that it's good for the youngins, but I've never heard it from someone in the know, or from the actual UK...

And how many of you british lads have been in a band, or dreamt of being in a band?

Post by **snarl** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:10 am

I like to cherrypick classics and imagine what it would be like to have written them etc.

But then, I only like to imagine I've done em because if I had I'd be absolutely rolling in pussy.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:21 am

My On-The-Go playlist right now has:

Smashing Pumpkins:
Disarm
The End is the Beginning is the End
The Beginning is the End is the Beginning

Dragonforce:
Through the Fire and the Flames

Shinedown:
Simple Man

Dethklok:
Awaken
Fansong
Into the Water (I love this track!)

Is there anything that sounds like Dethklok? I've never been into that kind of sound before, but I find it's great for psyching oneself up for something.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:51 am

Anyone like dance music here, techno, house etc? - Pendulum for example?

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:00 pm

I like Pendulum.

They're like the stadium rock of drum N bass.

I've got the new(ish) Plump DJs album still to listen to. Love the Plumps. And Soulwax. And the Chems, obviously.

Post by **snarl** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:08 pm

Dance is probably the stuff I'm listening to the most right now.

Phat Dope **** by Loco Dice is a fave of mine.

Not big on Pendulum. AFAIC DNB is just a horrible noise.

Post by **snarl** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:37 pm

I tell you a band I used to ******* love, but vanished - Semisonic.

Time for a youtube / wiki session...

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:38 pm

Pendulum are the only dnb I listen to. Apparently they started off as a rock band, and just started making dnb for a laugh as they thought it'd be piss easy.

Supposedly.

I like Hot Chip, Justice and LCD Soundsystem as well, of course. I'm not really cutting edge.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:50 pm

Its odd but when I listen to Pnedulum, I dont hear DNB, as im not a big fan of tradtional DNB to be honest. Pendulums latest album to me sounds like somthing from Turrican on the Amiga!

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:09 pm

snarl wrote:I tell you a band I used to ******* love, but vanished - Semisonic.

Time for a youtube / wiki session...

Semisonic were ace.

Big points for Fastball as well!

Post by **snarl** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:19 pm

I assume you're checking out my facebook page aintcha son?!

Those are some classy songs I'd forgotten all about.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:22 pm

Newsfeed bitch!

One Headlight = the bomb. I've got it on mp3 somewhere, but can never bloody find it. I was hunting for it just last week.

stranger · Post by **stranger** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:48 pm

Impactor returns 2.0 wrote:Anyone like dance music here, techno, house etc? - Pendulum for example?

I've been producing dance music for a few years now, mainly for a label called Nukleuz in recent times in styles ranging from Trance to House to some harder stuff. Got an album coming out next month if anyone likes Trance (I'll glady plug the **** out of nearer the time - I need the money

).

As music in general - I'll pretty much listen to anything depending on mood. Have to agree with Impactor on Pendulum - their tracks sound less drum and bass now than before, and even then - back when things such as Slam and Tarantular were getting mainstream exposure, it felt to me like someone doing a spoof of DnB...

Post by **Best First** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:33 pm

Impactor returns 2.0 wrote:Its odd but when I listen to Pnedulum, I dont hear DNB, as im not a big fan of tradtional DNB to be honest. Pendulums latest album to me sounds like somthing from Turrican on the Amiga!

Possibly the greatest endorsement of all time.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 5:19 am

OMFG Spidey you MUST SEE THIS.

Other music fans must see also. But Spidey is required by law to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HgN83yB ... r2-2f-1-HM

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 5:04 pm

bumblemusprime wrote:OMFG Spidey you MUST SEE THIS.

Other music fans must see also. But Spidey is required by law to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HgN83yB ... r2-2f-1-HM

Jazztastic.

I love Radiohead covers. Have you heard of a pianist called Christopher O'Reilly? He's done several albums of Radiohead songs, all great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8bjPdR1RC8

On a very related note, just wait and see how our radio show celebrates 5 years next month. I will say no more!

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 3:48 am

I love Christopher O'Riley. Especially his Airbag.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 4:56 pm

I love your airbags.

bumblemusprime · Post by **bumblemusprime** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 3:24 am

Too bad you'll only see them in an emergency situation.

(Everyone join in: I have an emergency situation in my PANTS!)

A podcast of middling quality is available for the 'Head's Haiti benefit show.

http://webinfront.net/?p=3337